Newborn and baby advice

Hi there ladies

I am still here... sooo quiet... sorry!!!

We have been very busy, as all of you are as well I assume...

Karla is doing great... sleeping well, go to bed at 8 and wake up at 4 and then at 7 again! Not too bad, I think we are still luckier than other people! We have friends who gets up at least 7 times per night with their little one and she is already 6 months. All because of the dummy.. everytime the dummy falls out she wakes up and they have to go and put it back again... crazy!! We decided not to use the dummy at nighttime, only when absolutely necessary!!

I still haven't gone for my mani and pedi treat, hopefully next Saturday!!! I am soooo looking forward to a little bit of pampering!
One of my friends is doing a course in make-up and I have to sit for her exam tomorrow... I am her model... looking forward to it, Karla is going to my mother, so she is also very excited!

@ about the freezing of the breastmilk. I bought the lansinoh bags and it is really ridiculous how expensive it is, so if it is finished I think I'll rather buy containers. Beansmom - the plastic containers, are they bpa free? Because I know it can be a problem if it is not BPA free and you put them in the microwave... not sure though... That just seem like a much better idea than the storage bags!

Ladies a couple of days ago I had mastitis in my left breast... it was soooooo painful!!! I haven't felt pain like that before (Oh except for labour pains)... I didn't sleep at all that night and the next morning I phoned the midwife and she told me to get some Cataflam for the inflamation... took 2 and it worked like a charm! Now it is better but my left breast doesn't have much milk in it because of the mastitis and there came nothing out for Karla to drink, so now I have to feed her first on the left breast with each feed to build up milk production in that breast again!!! Luckily it is better now, so beware and catch it before it is too far, luckily I did and didn't need antibiotics or doctors or whatever more!!!

It feels as if I have written a book for you ladies... sorry...

Have a good night
CIAO

@ Bronz I use the woolies pure earth baby oil. I started with the J&J because I was given it at my baby shower, but James seems to allergic to all the J&J stuff and he developed a rash. The woolies stuff is all natural, non harsh and it works a bomb (also gives extra moisture to his skin)

@ Mrs SH I am still drinking the jungle juice but not as often. I just glug some down if I'm feeling a bit flat or if my milk supply seems to be down. As a result I dont go through it as quickly and the ingredients last longer.

I've decided to bite the bullet and start seeing patients again from next week. My first is booked for monday evening. James is going to my moms when I am busy, because my caregiver will only be starting in September. Ive been away for so long its going to be like starting again from scratch (my old patients I handed over to a friend that I work in association with, and she is going off to have her baby in Oct, so I'll have to take on her patients then:))

@ Mrs S H - I stopped the Jungle Juice at around 6 weeks purely because it started getting really cold here in Cape Town and I couldn't face drinking cold things But it definately did work and if you can handle drinking it - carry on!!
As for the breastmilk bags - I didn't go with the bags but instead little plastic tubs like Spur send there take away sauce in and it works a charm... they are 125ml and neat in the freezer. Also once used I just wash them and steralize in my micro steraliser to be reused.

@ Scribb... I've been put on Eglonyl for milk and also for the mild antidepressant it is... but i read that the side effects are weight gain... I know you were on it.. did you gain weight from it and how often did you take it?

Hi ladies,

I feel like such an user - I only come here to pick your brains and then leave?!?! So sorry - there just doesn't seem to be enough time to reply to this topic and the June mommies one that I've been part of since...well falling preggers.

Anyway, I need more advice.

I see you're on the topic of freezing breastmilk.

Is it safe/ok to use ziplock bags? I saw that someone said ok to freeze in, but not to defrost in heat for use - rather to thaw overnight?

Actual breastfeeding bags are R170 for 25 for Lanisoh bags and R180 for 20 Medela bags. How ridiculous is that?!?!

Our Alex went to the pead today for the 6 week check-up. He now weighs 5.55kg and is 59cm tall. He is a big 'un! Pead is happy with development.

Meags - congrats on your pregnancy!! Love every minute, even the bad ones - this is what you wanted for so long, so cherish every moment. I sometimes miss being pregnant.

How are you ladies doing for losing the pregnancy weight? I have 5kgs to go to pre-pregnancy, but I'm hoping to loose more as I was carrying a bit heavier than I should've.

Angelsmom - I still use the breastfeeding pillow to breastfeed, so that might be rather cumbersome to try and express whilst feeding.

Oh I just thought of another question, when did you stop drinking jungle juice? I've been drinking it for 6 weeks and it definitely works - I have loads of milk, but the ingredients are pricey.

Thanks ladies, and sorry for just barging in to get info and leaving quietly afterwards!

Hi Scribbling.
I am still around...I still have terrible aches and pains. thank god the cramps are only once or twice a day and are generally triggered by me sleeping on my side or having trapped gas (sorry TMI!!!) otherwise the back ache is constant and hear it'll probably be like that until the end!!
I can deal with the back ache though

I have been started on Progesterone. I called the gynae to let her know about the cramps and she said just to start on Progesterone to be safe. I sneakily did quickly go have a progesterone test last night before beginning the tablets so will see if its even necessary! still waiting for the results.
the tablets are expensive, so if my count is fine, is it ok for me to just finish this box of progesterone i have bought anyway? surely it cant do any harm?

otherwise i have been having hcg bloods done quite often. I'm a little paranoid I admit...
but the count is rising so well. it always more than doubles. mondays was 7389 and wednesdays was 18308 so dont think i'll do anymore now
was only going to see the gynae on 20 August, but she suggested i rather go next week to check as I should be 6 weeks and hope to see the heart beating by then

the orphanage's address is 49 Madelaine Street, Florida.
It's just off Die Ou Pad.

The thread's been a bit quiet lately. How's everyone doing? Pinky? Jacadebra? Desiree? NickyW? Meags?? Meags, I've been thinking about you. Any preggy updates? Also wanted to ask you/Pinky for the address of the orphanage.

Joburg ladies, anyone up for a get-together before we're all officially back at work?

Got back from a fantastic week in Cape Town. Weather was amazing. Emily was so good! Now that we're back in Joburg she's slightly more niggly, but I think she's feeding off her mother's anxiety.

Bronz, I got this off the Babyzone website: The current recommendation for time on the tummy is approximately 30 minutes a day, either all at once or broken up into short segments ranging from a few minutes to longer.
There are multiple forms of tummy time:

* Hold Baby on your chest while you're reclined or lying flat.
* Place Baby on a firm, safe surface, such as a blanket on the floor.
* Hold Baby on your forearms (as opposed to a traditional cradle hold).
* As your baby gains more head control, try using a nursing pillow or blanket to prop her up on her tummy.
* Try using an exercise ball to help make it more fun: Place Baby on her tummy on top of the ball. While supporting her with your hand on her back or bottom, gently roll the ball lightly forward and backward.

It helps for you to lie down on your tummy and interact with Baby. Talk to, play with, and be silly with your child! A common tummy time problem is that Baby becomes frustrated with being simply placed on a blanket on the floor. So instead, make faces, sing songs, play with toys—you'll have more fun and this will keep Baby from getting fidgety. If you have older children, make sure the baby is safe from getting stepped on by a busy sibling!

If Baby falls asleep during tummy time, do not leave him unattended on his tummy: Place him on his back to continue sleeping.

Hey Ladies

Hope every one is well.

Claudia you said the other day you massage James in the morning. What do you use? As in oil or cream. I am keen to start doing it in the morning too as G is enjoying being naked more.

Any one have tips for tummy time? Must I prop his arms under him? He is starting to enjoy it for short stretches now, just need to enforce it more but keep it enjoyable.

Oh big news I am going to become an Aunty in 30 mins. Cant wait to see her (only in mid Aug).